'Optimism' and 'pancreatic cancer' are uncommon bedfellows, but the editorial in the latest issue of Lancet Oncology is headed "Pancreatic Cancer: Cause for Optimism?"

It recaps recent research findings that could lead to treatment breakthroughs. Most have previously been mentioned in this forum. Unfortunately I'm not able to post a link at the moment due to copyright.

To my mind the most interesting finding reported on is the 44% 5 year overall survival of patients given the drug S-1 in a Japanese trial. S-1 is used predominantly in Japan (apparently it's poorly tolerated by westerners).

I love the final sentence of the editorial:
"Although many challenges lie ahead, optimism might now start to replace the pessimism that has typically been associated with pancreatic cancer"

W&M there are so many treatments on the horizon that it does feel more optimistic. I often ask dad why he could not wait another year or two before this happened to him! Hahaha. All the new findings coming out is also why I am determined to get his tumour profiled and I am progressing this but it is not a quick process to sort out. All we can do is keep researching and keep fighting for them until cure, it becomes a chronic condition or the pesky thing takes over before that. It is not like we have any other choice! x

DG, 'keep researching and keep fighting' is my mantra too. Like you, I'm very tenacious and questioning. It can be very exhausting and anxiety-provoking but it's me and I'm not going to change. And let's face it, whatever one's coping strategy, when it comes to PC there's no easy way, it is really really tough.

Good luck with the tumour profiling. I looked into this but didn't get very far. But I did discover that patients who've been Whippled can access a sample of their excised tissue if they wish to, even years after their op. I'm very interested to hear how you get on with this.

We had a great talk last year at a Birmingham study day about S-1, and yes, it is not tolerated in "Caucasian people", as the side effect profile is very bad in this group - no idea why, that is just what they found, but worked very well in Japanese folks. This was presented by a Japanese consultant - brilliant as you would expect.